GB2439739A

GB2439739A - A scaffold component for connecting an upright to a panel

Info

Publication number: GB2439739A
Application number: GB0613478A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Graham Turner
Original assignee: SGB Group Ltd Great Britain
Current assignee: SGB Group Ltd Great Britain
Priority date: 2006-07-06
Filing date: 2006-07-06
Publication date: 2008-01-09
Also published as: GB0613478D0

Abstract

A scaffold component comprises a clamp arrangement such as pivoted jaws 16,17 for releasably engaging a scaffold upright 1 and is provided with at least one downwardly extending leg element 22 which terminates with a formation 24 configured to engage a platform panel such as an in-fill panel 12. As shown there are two leg elements 22 and each terminates in a projection 24 which engages into a panel aperture 13 and has a tab 25 to engage the upper panel surface. A pivoted wedge element 32 is used to tighten the jaws but a threaded bolt arrangement is also disclosed to effect tightening.

Description

Ref: P20980GB-SJP/mm Title: A Scaffold Component and a Scaffold

Connection

Description of Invention

The present invention relates to a scaffold component and also, in another aspect, relates to a scaffold connection incorporating the scaffold component.

It is common practice in the construction industry to erect temporary scaffolding in order to provide a convenient structure from which operatives can work at an elevated position above ground level, for example during construction of a new building. Typically, such temporary scaffold structures are erected adjacent the building being constructed or otherwise worked upon, and the scaffold structures comprise a plurality of scaffold uprights, known as standards, interconnected by a plurality of horizontal scaffold components known as ledgers or transoms. Extending between the ledgers are provided a number of decks or boards which define platforms on which construction It is also common practice to provide more readily movable frame structures, commonly known as uhop..upsn which can be manoeuvred to a position adjacent a building or similar, when it is not possible to erect scaffolding sufficiently close to the building. However, it is often difficult or impossible to manoeuvre the hop-up to a position sufficiently close to the other scaffold structure to avoid there being a gap between the hop-up and the platform of the scaffolding structure for entirely safe movement from one to the other by workers or operatives. It is therefore common practice to lay an in-fill panel so as to extend between the hop-up and the other scaffold structure so as to cover the gap which would otherwise be present between the two. These in-fill panels are often simply laid across the gap between the hop-up and scaffold structure and, unless they are secured in position, can move in a dangerous manner and expose the gap between the hop-up and the scaffold structure.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a scaffold component which can be used to conveniently secure an in-fill panel of the type described in position.

Accordingly, a first aspect of the present invention provides a scaffold component comprising a clamp arrangement for releasably engaging a scaffold upright, and at least one leg-element extending downwardly from said ...J I....I... * :l IdIIIIJ dIIdII9IIIIIL dilU LIIIIIIIdUII9, dt d IJUILIUII tJIVVV D IU.IlIuIJ arrangement, with a formation configured to engage a platform panel.

Preferably, the scaffold component has two said leg elements, extending downwardly from opposite sides of the clamp arrangement.

Advantageously, said clamp arrangement comprises a pair of clamp-members hingedly connected to one another so as to be moveable between an open-configuration in which the clamping arrangement can be placed around a scaffold upright, and a closed-configuration in which the clamp-members engage the scaffold upright in a clamping manner.

Conveniently, a locking mechanism configured to releasably lock the clamp-members with respect to one another when in said closed-configuration, the locking mechanism being operable to draw the clamp-members towards one another so as to grip the scaffold upright therebetween.

Preferably, said locking mechanism comprises a wedge-element pivotally mounted to one of said clamp-members, and an aperture formed through part of the other clamp-member, part of the wedge element being received in said aperture when the clamp-members are positioned in said closed-configuration around a scaffold upright, such that pivotal movement of the wedge-element serves to draw the clamping-members towards one another.

Conveniently, the clamp-member to which the wedge-element is pivotally mounted is also provided with an aperture to receive part of the wedge-element, the two apertures being arranged so as to become at least partially aligned when the clamp-members are positioned in said closed-configuration, with part of the wedge-element being received through both of the apertures.

Advantageously, said locking mechanism comprises a threaded bolt carried by one of said clamping members, the other said damping member being provided with an aperture to receive said bolt therethrough, there also being provided a threaded nut for threaded engagement with said bolt after insertion of said bolt through said aperture.

Preferably, said threaded bolt is pivotally mounted to said one clamping-member.

Conveniently, the or each said formation comprises a tab configured to pass substantially vertically through an aperture formed through a platform panel.

Advantageously, the or each said formation further comprises a projection extending substantially orthogonally to said tab, to bear against the upper surface of said platform panel.

Preferably, the or each leg-element is formed integrally with one of said clamp-members.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a scaffold connection comprising a scaffold upright, a platform panel, and a scaffold component as defined above, wherein the scaffold component is clamped around the upright, so as to be releasable secured to the upright, and wherein the or each said formation engages the platform panel at a position spaced below the position at which the scaffold component is secured to the upright.

So that the invention may be more readily understood, and so that further features thereof may be appreciated, embodiments of the invention may now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-Figure 1 is a perspective view of a scaffolding structure, an in-fiji platform panel and a scaffolding component in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the scaffolding component; Figure 3 is a plan view from above of part of the scaffolding component of the first embodiment; Figure 4 is an elevational side view of the part illustrated in Figure 3; Figure 5 is an elevational end view of the part illustrated in Figures 3 and 4; Figure 6 is a plan view from above of another part of the scaffolding component of the first embodiment; Figure 7 illustrates a wedge element of the first embodiment; Figure 8 is a perspective view illustrating the scaffold component of the first embodiment being positioned around a scaffold upright of the scaffolding structure.

Figure 9 is a further perspective view of the scaffold component, showing the scaffold component closed around the scaffold upright; Figure 10 is a perspective view illustrating the scaffold component being clamped up tight around the scaffold upright; Figure 11 illustrates the wedging action of the wedge element illustrated in Figure 7 when the scaffold component is clamped up tight as illustrated in Figure 10; Figure 12 is a view corresponding generally to that of Figure 10 but illustrating the scaffold component being released from the scaffold upright; Figure 13 is a perspective view showing a second embodiment of the scaffold component clamped around a scaffold upright; and Figure 14 is a further perspective view, showing from the other side, illustrating the scaffold component of Figure 13 and to a scaffold upright.

Referring initially to Figure 1, there is illustrated part of a generally conventional scaffolding structure which is made up from a number of substantially vertically orientated scaffold uprights (also known as standards) between which a number of substantially horizontal ledgers extend. In Figure 1, one such scaffold upright 1 is illustrated from which two ledgers 2 can be seen to extend in orthogonal directions relative to one another. The scaffold upright 1 is provided with a cup-shaped structure 3 at a predetermined point along its length within which a downwardly-directed tongue 4 arranged at the end of each ledger 2 extends. Positioned above the upturned cup 3, and slidably mounted on the upright I is a movable collar 6 which is formed, at its lower end, with an outwardly-extending skirt 7 and which carries, at predetermined positions around its periphery, a number of outwardly-directed projections 8. The upper edge 9 of the collar 6 has a ramped region which, in operation, bears against a projection extending outwardly from the upright 1 (not visible in Figure 1).

In the position illustrated in Figure 1, the collar 6 can be seen to be positioned such that its skirt 7 extends over upwardly- directed tongues 5 carried by the ends of the ledgers 2, the upwardly-directed tongues 5 extending in an opposite direction to the downwardly-extending tongues 4 which are received in the cup 3. !n operation, the cup 3 and collar 6 serge to retain the ends of the ledgers 2 and transoms with respect to the upright 1. This form of connection is widely known and is available, for example, under the Trade Mark CUPLOK. It is therefore unnecessary to explain the operation of the CUPLOK system in great detail here, suffice to say that operation of the system involves striking one or more of the outwardly-directed projections 8 carried by the collar 6 with a hammer or similar tool in order to rotate the collar 6 about the upright I with the result that the ramped edge 9, by bearing against the associated projection extending outwardly from the standard, serves to urge the skirt 7 downwardly, thereby forming a secure connection between the tongues carried at the edges 2 and the cup-and-collar combination provided on the upright 1.

As also illustrated in Figure 1, a number of platform panels are provided in the form of wooden planks 10 which extend across opposed pairs of ledgers 2, being supported at intermediate positions along their length by additional cross-members 11 in a manner known per-se.

Also illustrated in Figure 1, resting upon the planks 10, is a further platform panel 12 which takes the form of an in-fill panel of the type mentioned in the introduction above, which can, preferably, be made from lightweight wooden materials or even plastics materials or suitable metals such as steel and aluminium. The in-fill platform panel 12 is provided with one or more apertures 13 at each end, which preferably take the form of elongate rectangular slots formed through the material of the panel.

Also illustrated in Figure 1, resting upon the in-fill platform panel 12 is a scaffolding component 14 in accordance with the present invention which will be described in more detail hereinafter, together with a hammer 15 which can be used not only to make up and break the CUPLOK connection described above, but can also be used to operate the scaffold component 14 as will be described in more detail hereinafter. As WIll become clear, the scaffold component 14 is configured for releasable connection to the scaffold upright 1, at a position above the cup-and-collar connection, and serves also to engage the in-fill platform panel 12, by virtue of the slot-shaped aperture 13, in order to secure the in-fill panel 12 with respect to the rest of the scaffolding structure.

With reference to Figures 2 through to 7, the structure of the scaffold component 14 will be described in more detail hereinbelow.

The scaffolding component 14 comprises a clamp arrangement formed from two clamp-members, namely a first clamp member 16 and a second clamp member 17.

As illustrated most clearly in Figures 2 and 3, the first clamp member 16 comprises an upper, substantially planar, plate 18 of generally arcuate form defining a recess 19 of a size and shape configured to receive the scaffold upright I therein.

To one side of the recess 19, the upper plate 18 is provided with a substantially circular aperture 20 through the plate, whilst on the other side of the recess 19, the plate 18 is provided with a generally rectangular, slightly elongate slot-shaped aperture 21. The slot 21 is orientated so as to make an acute angle with the transverse axis T illustrated in Figure 3.

As illustrated most clearly in Figure 4, the first clamp member 16 also comprises a pair of leg elements 22 which extend downwardly from the upper plate 18 so as to terminate at positions spaced significantly below the plane of the upper plate 18. Each leg element 22 is formed integrally with the upper plate 18 by way of right-angle bends 23. It would therefore be appreciated that each leg element 22 is substantially elongate and extends downwardly from the upper plate 18 at right angles thereto.

Each leg element 22 terminates at its lower end with a respective downwardly-extending tab 24 which is aligned with the main part of the leg element 22.

Additionally, the lower end of each leg element 22 is also provided with an outwardly-directed projection 25 in the form of another tab extending outwardly relative to the tab 24 so as to lie generally orthogonal to the tab 24.

As illustrated most clearly in Figure 5, the tabs 24, 25 of the lower end of each leg element 22 are formed by initially cutting a short slot 26 in the middle of the leg element 22 so as to run a short way up the leg element 22 from its lowermost end. Thereafter, the tab which is intended to define the outwardly-directed projection 25 is then bent upwardly so as to adopt the position illustrated in Figure 4, whilst the other tab 24 is left undeformed, so as to project downwardly relative to the outwardly-directed tab 25.

As illustrated most clearly in Figure 6, the second clamp member 17 also has a generally arcuate form and can be considered to have a shape somewhat resembling a boomerang. The second clamp member 17 thus defines a recess 27 of arcuate form and of shape generally complementary to that of the recess 19 formed in the first clamp member 16. The recess 27 formed in the second clamp member 17 is thus again shaped to receive the scaffold upright 1. At one end of the "boomerang"-shaped second clamp member 17, the clamp member is formed with a generally circular aperture 28. At its other end, opposite the circular aperture 28, the second clamp member 27 is provided with an aperture in the form of a slightly elongate rectangular slot 29 which is orientated so as to make an acute angle to the transverse axis T' of the second clamp member 17. Aligned with the slot 29, and of similar form, there is provided an additional slot 30 through the second clamp member 17, the slot 30 being located closer to the transverse axis T', but still making an acute angle relative thereto.

As iustrated most clearly in Figure 2, the two clamp members 16,17 ale pivotally mounted to one another by way of a pivotal connection using a bolt or rivet 31 extending through co-aligned circular apertures 20 and 28. The two clamping members 16, 17 are mounted with respect to one another such that the respective arcuate recesses 19,27 face one another.

The second clamp member 17 carries a wedge element 32 which, as will be described in more detail hereinbelow, is pivotally mounted to the clamp member 17 in the region of the two slots 29, 30. The wedge element 32 is illustrated most clearly in Figure 7.

The wedge element 32 is formed from a substantially planar metal plate and is provided with a mounting lug 33 having a mounting aperture 34 formed through it.

Spaced from the mounting lug 33, the wedge element 32 is provided with a curved, downwardly-extending finger 35 which can be seen to curve some way around the mounting lug 33. The finger 35 defines an inner arcuate bearing surface 36 and an outer arcuate bearing surface 37. The two arcuate bearing surfaces 36, 37 both lie on notional circles whose centres are in the general region of the mounting aperture 34. However, it is important to note that the two arcuate bearing surfaces 36, 37 are not centred on the same point and neither is either one centered exactly on the centre point of the mounting aperture 34. Instead, the arcuate bearing surfaces 36, 37 are configured so that each diverges from the other, and from a notional circle C centered on the mounting aperture 34 with increasing distance from the free end 38 of the finger 35. The thickness of the finger 38, between the two bearing surfaces 36, 37 in the region of the free end 38 is therefore less than its thickness in the region of the stem of the finger indicated generally at 39 in Figure 7.

As illustrated most clearly in Figure 2, the wedge element 32 is pivotally mounted to the second Clamp member 17 by a short axle 40 which passes through the mounting aperture 34 formed in the wedge element 32 and extends across the additional slot 30 formed through the second clamp member 17. The axle 40 is fixed to the second clamp member 17, on its upper surface, by, for example, welds formed at each end of the axle 40 and on opposed sides of the additional slot 30. Of course, alternative forms of pivotal mountings could be used instead.

As will therefore be appreciated from Figure 2, the mounting lug 33 of the wedge element 32 is received in the additional slot 30, and the curved, elongate finger 35 is received within the slot 29 formed in the end of the second clamp member 17. In this manner, the wedge element 32 is free to rotate on the axle 40 so as to move pivotally with respect to the second clamp member 17 and is arranged so that the arcuate bearing surfaces 36, 37 are always clear from the respective ends of the slot 29.

Figure 2 illustrates the scaffold component 14 in an initial, open-configuration in which the component can be placed around a scaffold upright so as to adopt a position generally as illustrated in Figure 8. In Figure 8, the scaffold component is illustrated in a mounting position generally against the scaffold upright I such that the first clamp member 16 bears against the upright 1 with the upright I being received in the recess 19 defined by the first clamp member 16. The upper plate 18 of the clamp member 16 is oriented substantially horizontally such that the leg elements 22 extend downwardly and lie substantially parallel to the scaffold upright 1. In this position, the downwardly-extending tab 24 on the leg element 22 most clearly visible in Figure 8 is shown received within one of the slots 13 formed through the end of the in-fill panel 12, the in-fill panel 12 being positioned generally adjacent the scaffold upright 1. Also in this position, it will be seen that the outwardly-projecting tab 25 rests upon the upper surface of the in-fill panel 12. The tab 24 which sits within the slot 13 thus prevents horizontal movement of the in-fill pane! 12 with respect to the upright 1, whst the projecting tab 25 prevents lifting of the in-fill panel 12 from the position illustrated in Figure 8.

Once the scaffold component has been positioned as illustrated in Figure 8, the second clamp member 17 is then moved pivotally with respect to the first clamp member 16 so as to close the component around the scaffold upright I and hence adopting a position as illustrated in Figure 9. In this closed, configuration, the slot 29 formed through the end of the second scaffold member 17 becomes positioned so as to overlie and be generally aligned with the slot 21 formed through the first clamp member 16. Of course, the wedge element 32 must initially be lifted from the position illustrated in Figure 8 in order for the scaffold component to be closed around the upright 1 as illustrated in Figure 9, so that the free end 38 of the finger 35 can clear the upper plate 18 of the first scaffold member 16. Thereafter, the wedge element 32 can be allowed to fall under its own weight such that the finger 35 passes through the aligned slots 29 and 21.

Once the wedge element 32 is loosely engaged with the first clamp member 16 in the position illustrated generally in Figure 9, the wedge element 32 can then be struck with a downward action by the hammer 15 as illustrated in Figure 10 such that the finger 35 is driven firmly through the slot 21 provided in the first clamp member 16.

Figure 11 illustrates the wedging action of the wedge element 32 in more detail and it will be seen from this drawing that the inner arcuate bearing surface 36 serves to bear against the end of the slot 21 which is located, in the closed configuration of the scaffold component, closest to the slot 30 and associated pivot axis 40 of the wedge element 32. Because the pivot axis 40 of the wedge element 32 is fixed with respect to the second clamp member 17, the wedge shape of the finger 35 serves to draw the two clamp members 16, 17 towards one another, tightly around the scaffold upright I as the wedge e!ement 32 is forced downwardly under the striking force of the hammer 15.

As described above, therefore, the scaffold component of the present invention effectively comprises a clamping arrangement which can be placed around a scaffold upright I and tightened so as to draw the two clamp members 16, 17 towards one another and thus grip the scaffold upright 1 tightly therebetween. In this manner, the scaffold component is secured to the scaffold upright at a position spaced slightly above the CUPLOK connection provided on the scaffolding upright 1. Because the leg elements 22 extend downwardly from the clamping arrangement, they serve to retain the in-fill panel 12 at the general level of the CUPLOK connection, but nevertheless allow easy access to the collar 6 so that it can be tightened and loosened under the action of a hammer as described above.

Figure 12 illustrates the above-described scaffold component being released from the scaffold upright 1. Release of the scaffold component is enabled by striking the free end 38 of the finger 35 with the hammer 15 with an upward component of force so as to release the wedging action of the wedge element 32.

It should therefore be appreciated, that because the leg elements extend downwardly from the clamp arrangement of the scaffold component, they serve to engage the platform panel 12 at a position below the clamping arrangement and hence this allows easy access, for example by a hammer, not only to the collar 6 of the CUPLOK arrangement, but also to the finger 35 of the scaffold component of the present invention.

Figures 13 and 14 illustrate an alternative embodiment of the scaffold component of the present invention. The general form of the first clamp member 16 of the embodiment of Figures 13 and 14 is largely similar to that in the embodiment described above with reference to Figures 1 to 12. Features -L_ I. ..LU_ ___I_ _.t_ _ SL.___Z___ L... 4__t_U.._...._ SI 1Ui11111011 LI) 1JUL11 CIlIUUUliIlCIIL die L1ICICIUIC I1IUILdLCU using LIIC SdIiIC reference numerals and will not be described in detail again.

However, referring initially to Figure 13, in this embodiment, the first clamp member 16 is provided with a bracket 41 which is pivotally mounted to the upper plate 18 of the first clamp member 16 by way of a bolt or rivet 42 passing through an appropriate circular aperture (not visible in Figure 13) which is formed through the upper plate 18 and which replaces the elongate slot 21 of the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 12. The bracket 41 can thus be moved pivotaHy, about a substantially vertical pivot axis with respect to the upper plate 18 of the first clamp member 16.

The bracket 41 carries an outwardly-directed threaded bolt 43 which is mounted to the bracket 41, in a manner known per-se, so as to be pivotable with respect to the bracket 41 about a substantially horizontal axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the bolt 43.

Referring now to Figure 14, the second clamp member 17 of the first embodiment is replaced, in this embodiment, with a clamp member in the form of a cranked arm 44. At one end, the cranked arm 44 is provided with a pair of spaced apart mounting lugs 45 which receive therebetween the region of the upper plate 18 which is provided with the circular aperture 20. A bolt or rivet 42 passes through the aperture 31 formed in the upper plate 18 and also through co-aligned apertures formed through the mounting lugs 45 so as to pivotally mount the cranked arm 44 to the clamp member 16.

At its other, free end, the cranked arm 44 is provided with an aperture 46 which is sized and configured to receive the threaded shank of the bolt 43.

Figure 14 illustrates the scaffold component of the second embodiment clamped around the scaffold upright I and it will be seen that the threaded shank of the bolt 44 is received through the aperture 46 formed through the cranked arm 44 and an internally screw-threaded nut 47 has been threadedly engaged on the shank of the bolt 43. As the nut 47 is tightened on to the bolt 43, it serves to draw together the first clamp member 16, and the second clamp member represented by the cranked arm 44 so as to clampingly engage the scaffold upright 1 therebetween.

Whilst the present invention has been described above with reference to particular embodiments, it should be appreciated that various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of protection conferred by the attached claims. For example, variants of the in-fill panel could be larger than those described above and illustrated in the drawings, and be provided with semi-circular cut-outs at the ends in order to fit closely around the uprights of the scaffolding structure.

Whilst the scaffold component of the present invention has been specifically described with reference to use with the CUPLOK scaffolding system, it can alternatively be used on the uprights of other systems.

Additionally, whilst the present invention has been particularly described with reference to use in securing in-fill panels between access scaffolds and "hop-ups", it could also be used to secure in-fill panels used to cover gaps between adjacent Falsework structures.

When used in this specification and claims, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

Claims: 1. A scaffold component comprising a clamp arrangement for

releasably engaging a scaffold upright, and at least one leg-element extending downwardly from said clamp arrangement and terminating, at a position spaced below said clamp arrangement, with a formation configured to engage a platform panel.

2. A scaffold component according to cia;m 1, having two said leg elements, extending downwardly from opposite sides of the clamp arrangement.

3. A scaffold component according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said clamp arrangement comprises a pair of clamp-members hingedly connected to one another so as to be moveable between an open-configuration in which the clamping arrangement can be placed around a scaffold upright, and a closed-configuration in which the clamp-members engage the scaffold upright in a clamping manner.

4. A scaffold component according to claim 3, further comprising a locking mechanism configured to releasably lock the clamp- members with respect to one another when in said closed-configuration, the locking mechanism being operable to draw the clamp-members towards one another so as to grip the scaffold upright therebetween.

5. A scaffold component according to claim 4, wherein said locking mechanism comprises a wedge-element pivotally mounted to one of said clamp-members, and an aperture formed through part of the other clamp-member, part of the wedge element being received in said aperture when the clamp-members are positioned in said I, S closed-configuration around a scaffold upright, such that pivotal movement of the wedgeelement serves to draw the clamping-members towards one another.

6. A scaffold component according to claim 5, wherein the clamp-member to which the wedge-element is pivotally mounted is also provided with an aperture to receive part of the wedge-element, the two apertures being arranged so as to become at least partially -.J...L -- Ì__ _I__.__;.. ...;.i dIIIIU WIIlI UI I$dIuIIJuuIUIIuID JVDILflJIUU III IU flJU configuration, with part of the wedge-element being received through both of the apertures.

7. A scaffold component according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said locking mechanism comprises a threaded bolt carried by one of said clamping members, the other said clamping member being provided with an aperture to receive said bolt therethrough, there also being provided a threaded nut for threaded engagement with said bolt after insertion of said bolt through said aperture.

8. A scaffold component according to claim 7, wherein said threaded bolt is pivotally mounted to said one clamping-member.

9. A scaffold component according to any preceding claim, wherein the or each said formation comprises a tab configured to pass substantially vertically through an aperture formed through a plafform panel.

10. A scaffold component according to claim 9, wherein the or each said formation further comprises a projection extending substantially orthogonally to said tab, to bear against the upper surface of said platform panel. -.,

11. A scaffold component according to any preceding claim, wherein the or each leg-element is formed integrally with one of said clamp-members.

12. A scaffold connection comprising a scaffold upright, a platform panel, and a scaffold component according to any preceding claim, wherein the scaffold component is clamped around the upright, so as to be re!easab!e secured to the upright, and wherein the or each said formation engages the platform panel at a position spaced below the position at which the scaffold component is secured to the upright.

13. A scaffold component substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in figures 1 to 12.

14. A scaffold component substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in figures 13 and 14.

15. A scaffold connection substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in figures 9, 10 and 12.

16. A scaffold connection substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in figures 13 and 14.

17. Any novel feature or combination of features disclosed herein.